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An. 1681
The Author’s Return out of the South Seas,
came ashore we dispers’d our selves all over the Island, to prevent our Enemies from coming any way to view us; and presently after high-water we saw a small Canoa coming over from the Ship to the Island that we were on; which made us all get into our Canoa, and wait their coming; and we lay close till they came within Pistol-shot of us, and then being ready, we started out and took them. There were in her one White man and two Indians; who being examined, told us that the Ship which we saw at the Rivers mouth had lain there fix months, guarding the River, waiting for our coming; that she had 12 Guns, and 150 Sea-men and Souldiers: that the Sea-men all lay aboard, but the Souldiers lay ashore in their Tent; that there were 300 men at the Mines, who had all small Arms, and would be aboard in two Tydes time. They likewise told us, that there were two Ships cruising in the Bay, between this place and Gorgonia; the biggest had 20 Guns and 200 men, the other 10 Guns, and 150 men: Besides all this, they told us that the Indians on this side the Coun- try were our Enemies; which was the worst news of all. However we presently brought these Priso- ners aboard, and got under sail, turning out with the Tyde of Ebb, for it was not convenient to stay longer there.
We did not long consider what to do; but in- tended to land that night, or the next day betimes; for we did not question but we should either get a good commerce with the Indians, by such toys as we had purposely brought with us, or else force our way through their Country, in spight of all their opposition: and we did not fear what the Spaniards could do against us, in case they should land and come afrer us. We had a strong Souther- ly Wind, which blew right in; and the Tyde of Ebb being far spent, we could not turn out.
I per-